If you are a Medical Doctor, Please review Dr. Glass' letter here and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
along with any additional comments you would like to make. If you disagree with anything, then email that and I'll post it here too- I would like to hear your opinion either way. Put your name and contact information at the bottom of the letter in place of Dr. Glass' so it's clear that you agree with all of it- for instance, it's important to point out that reusing blades does Not constitute the practice of medicine.

All emails from Medical Doctors will be posted here. Would you mind also forwarding it to other Doctors for their signatures too (for a quick digital email signature? If they're willing to share it, then I'll print it out and put up a website so people can see that multiple Doctors agree but NOTHING has been done by anyone to make blade reuse on multiple patients STOP NOW!

My hope is that with enough citizen petitions and emails from medical Doctors that the medical boards, appropriate government agencies (e.g., the FDA and CDC), and any other appropriate regulatory authorities investigate and stop harmful patient practices as soon as possible.As many as eight million patients have had LASIK so far.

To Whom It May Concern:

For every LASIK surgery, every patient MUST have new microkeratome components (e.g., blades and cannulas).Reusing microkeratome components that come into contact with blood or the cornea on multiple patients is not within the practice of medicine for patients in the United States let alone within the standard of care for any Medical Doctor (for any medical procedure including LASIK).There is NO patient benefit for reuse and there is a very high risk of harm to the patient.

Based on my review of the risks associated with reusing microkeratome blades or cannulas on multiple patients (especially without proper sterilization), this practice can spread infectious diseases (e.g., DLK, HIV, hepatitis, CJD, etc.) as well as corneal infections (a complication that does lead to loss of eye and blindness).Proper sterilization of the microkeratome blades with regard to CJD prions is not practical and the blades do come into contact with the eye and blood (which are considered highly infectious tissue). The microkeratome then inserts the tissue into the eye of any other patients it comes into contact with.

Reuse also appears to be an off-label use or even violation of the FDA approval. Worse yet, the patients are exposed to the contaminated blades without resterilization.I think patients should be properly educated and informed prior to having LASIK surgery.

In light of present day Medical ethics, patients should be given true informed consent by a licensed medical professional (e.g., the M.D. Ophthalmologist surgeon explaining the true risks to physical and mental health).Unlicensed sales people who may be dressed to look as if they are medical professionals (e.g., wearing white lab coats) should not be allowed to explain things as their information may be incorrect and they may mislead patients.

Reusing a microkeratome blade used on another patient is not prudent and far too risky for patients.No patient should be subjected to a reused medical device that is labeled single use, and disposable even if the patient has informed consent.Reusing blades without patient informed consent violates many medical ethical principles including HHS IRB guidelines (see http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_appendices.htm), The Declaration of Helsinki "It is the mission of the physician to safeguard the health of the people" (see http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_appendices.htm#j6 ), the Belmont Report "Two general rules have been formulated as complementary expressions of beneficent actions in this sense: (1) do not harm and (2) maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms. " (see http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.htm ) and the THE NUREMBERG CODE "The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential.""The experiment should be so conducted as to avoid all unnecessary physical and mental suffering and injury." (see http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_appendices.htm#j5).

Apparently, two Doctors in CA admitted to reusing a single blade on multiple patients and were placed on probation by the medical board, and I believe the penalty should be higher than this decision.

"LaserVue reused microkeratome blades among patients rather than sterilizing or replacing them. Former patients may have been exposed to infectious diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis. "

"Class Action o/b/o 2,700 former LaserVue patients. In a settlement to an investigation brought by Medical Board of California (MBC), defendants admitted that their protocol was to rinse and reuse a blade on up to 4 eyes. MBC concluded that defendants departed from standard of care and placed them on probation."(see http://www.lasikinfocenter.net/Webpages/Ongoing%20Litigation%20Against%20RS%20Webpage.htm.)My hope is that the medical boards, appropriate government agencies (e.g., the FDA and CDC), and any other appropriate regulatory authorities investigate and stop harmful patient practices as soon as possible.As many as eight million patients have had LASIK so far.